The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested African Innocent, a 300-level Accounting undergraduate at Niger Delta University, for allegedly shooting to death a fellow student, James Okunmakpeye, in a lecture hall on Wednesday.
The victim was shot in the head at close range and died on the spot, according to reports.
He was said to be standing near the door of a lecture room in the Faculty of Management Sciences at the state-owned Wilberforce Island institution when he was attacked.
The incident was said to have caused chaos, as Okunmakpeye’s classmates and the lecturer fled in fear, leaving the victim’s lifeless body in a pool of his own blood.
Mr Ingezi Idoni, NDU’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident and stated that management was investigating it and had contacted relevant security agencies.
Idoni, who stated that the student was killed during class, stated, “There was a lecturer in the class at the time of the incident.” The deceased was shot near the lecture room door.
He arrived late for class and was asked to enter the lecture hall. Someone shot him from behind while he was explaining why he was late.
“After committing the heinous act, the perpetrator fled to the Ogobiri side of the institution, where the perimeter fencing had failed, and escaped.
“We are taking advantage of this opportunity to urge the state government to assist the institution in completing the perimeter fencing, which will help to secure lives and property on campus.”
The spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, said a suspect had been arrested in connection with the Okunmakpeye’s death, adding that the command had mobilised men to beef up security in the school.
Butswat stated, “When our teams were alerted, we responded swiftly and one suspect, African Innocent, a 300-level Accounting undergraduate of the institution, is in custody.
“The victim, James Okunmakpeye, was shot in the head at close range and taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.” We have increased campus security and will arrest more suspects in connection with the murder.”
